Steam Dreams 2020

22nd september 2020 The London to Highgrove Lydney and Cardiff B1 double header has been posponed to 23rd september 2021 due to the majority of passengers travelling under current covid 19 travel restrictions would feel uneasy travelling and the majority steam dreams passengers would prefer to postpone their tour until next year due to the likeliness of fewer covid 19 restrictions been in place.

 

Did you get this information via email, as the website still says it's running this year along with a couple of tours before it in September.

 

Yes i got the Email off steam dreams saying its posponed to next september booking team cos i had booked to go on the London Highgrove Lydney Cardiff tour B1 double header in late march just after lockdown kicked in, And got told then by steam dreams call operator it would depend on the outcome of the covid 19 pandemic wether it would go ahead or not and also the majority of passengers who go with steam dreams when surveyed preferred to travel when the easing of social distancing rules was minimal or non in place at all so thats another reason steam dreams have pulled out on not doing tour in summer and autumn 2020 but yet did offer me to transfer my booking to the xmas december 2020 tours.

 

Yes I agree Alan. As for travelling on main line steam the rest of 2020 will be a washout for me. Heritage railways possibly or line side for main line steam. Looks like my lowest steam mileage since 1970

 

Yes that’s true but only my opinion as a very long time supporter of travelling in main line steam trips and of very few lineside vigils since the 1960s so probably earned it anyway

 

Announcement from Steam Dreams, a new venture 'Days out with Santa'

"NEW Days out with Santa
We're delighted to announce that for this year we will be running short trips from London Victoria with a very special guest on board, Santa Claus!

Register your interest here to be the first to receive details about these trips: http://ow.ly/jmxx50AZxPE"

 

Combined beard and facemask?

 

https://www.gif-vif.com/gifs/Beard-life-hack/?fbrefresh=23

 

Bookings now on SD website.

3 trips per day from Victoria to 'North Pole' and back. Aimed at families, but no reduced fares for kids.

Anyone know where 'North Pole' is? (no facetious answers please!).

There's also an evening dining train, aimed at the adults, presumably round the Surrey Hills.

All the above subject of course to the Covid regulations at the time!

 

Try googling "north pole junction" - north west London, beside Wormwood Scrubs https://www.railscot.co.uk/locations/N/North_Pole_Junction/

 

'Where did Mummy and Daddy take you to see Santa, Johnny?'

Johnny replies 'Wormwood Scrubs Nick!!'

I don't think so!

 

The Santa Steam Express runs on 14th, 16th, 21st & 23rd December.

The Christmas Steam Express runs on 14th, 16th, 18th, 21st & 23rd December.

A Black 5 runs the trips on 14th & 16th December, with Mayflower running the others.

 

Given that they have to go somewhere that they can call "North Pole", the actual North Pole Jn would seem very appropriate. The snag is that you would not be able to stay there for very long in between service trains and, although you could spend some time somewhere around Willesden, that would involve going beyond the North Pole, "which is of course impossible".

 

I have looked up North Pole Reversing Siding which was formerly North Pole International depot exit line. A top and tailed train could stand there while people looked at the scenery of a crate rental company and Little Wormwood Scrubs parkland.
The siding can accommodate an 8 car 377 or 8 car 710 unit formation. That is equal to two locos and six mark 1 coaches, so no use for a charter.

Cheers, Neil

 

How about an virtual Santa, screened on a background, wall, that Santa seen climbing the wall out of Wormwood Scrubs, isn't a real santa he's on the naughty list

 

61306 is also double booked on 18/12/2020, being shown to work the Victoria - Kent Coast (White Cliffs) round trip.
I suspect another turn for whichever black 5 is used.

Cheers, Neil